August 14th, 2026

 I'm glad you've found the course website. There are three really important things to know about course logistics:

1. We'll be using this website, rather than Blackboard.  Here is where I'll post the Syllabus and slides for the course.  After the first two weeks, the site will be password-protected. This has worked well in the past. 

2. You are expected to check your WSU Email daily.  I may communicate important information, such as a cancelled class or scheduling of an exam, via your WSU email.  

3. Class attendance is mandatory, and there will often be in-class exercises. However, because class attendance is mandatory, I do not hold in person class meetings when I am concerned the weather is inclement or too extreme for everyone's safety. That includes extreme heat. Should class be cancelled, check your WSU email for an email from me giving you the at-home assignment to do in lieu of a class meeting. 

Finally, please try to obtain the textbooks for the course in time for the course. You will find them listed in the syllabus, which is here: 

                           Fall 2026 Ethical Theory Syllabus 
                   
I'm excited to discuss these interesting philosophical works with you, and look forward to meeting you soon.  

=========================================

Posted 16 August 2026

Our first reading assignment will be Hume's "A Dialogue" on pages 107-119 of Hume's An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals. You should read it in time for our class meeting on Wednesday, August 19th. 
   note:  don't worry if you don't recognize all the references to Greek figures. You are not expected to know or recognize them, and you can probably get the point in the text without recognizing the reference, since Hume provides descriptions of their actions. Also, some are explained in the footnotes. (You may also look up any references to learn more if you feel so inclined.) 

Posted 25 August 2026

On Monday, August 24th, we discussed sections I and II of Hume's Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals. On Wednesday August 26th we will discuss sections III and IV.  
Reading Assignment for Wednesday:  Sections III and IV of Hume's Enquiry 

Reading Assignments up to Wednesday, September 8th class meeting: 
Sections I through IX (Conclusion) in Hume's Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals. 
-- Check your wsu email for WORKSHEET#4 and WORKSHEET#5. 

In person meeting on Monday, September 14
I will hand out and discuss the assignment for Paper#1.

Upcoming readings on Kant: 
-- "On A Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns" (in assigned text: Immanuel Kant, Ethical Philosophy, second edition. Tr by James W. Ellington)
-- "The Truth About Kant on Lies" (link)

REMINDER:  Our class does not meet on September 16th (Professor out of town for conference).

Posted 21 September 2026
Since several people had to miss class today, I am providing the worksheet here on the website:  WORKSHEET#6  It is three pages long. Next class period we will read & discuss James Mahon's article "The Truth About Kant on Lies."

Posted 25 September 2026 
REMINDER:  The assignment for Paper#1 was handed out and discussed on September 14th, 2026.  It is due on Monday, September 28th, 2026. 
   We will begin Kant's Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals on Monday, too, after discussing your thoughts on Paper#1.  However, I have not assigned any reading in it for you so that you can focus on your Hume paper (Paper#1). (You can also hand in any worksheets on Hume on Monday.)

Posted 29 September 2026
READING ASSIGNMENT:  1. Finish reading the Preface to the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals (p. 1-5 in Ethical Philosophy, by I. Kant, 2nd ed., tr. by James W. Ellington; 387 -392 m.p.) then 2. begin reading "FIRST SECTION" (p. 7-17; 393-405 m.p.)

Posted 8 October 2026
READING ASSIGNMENT: Kant's Lectures on Ethics, pgs. 51-70. 
REMINDER:  No class meeting Monday, October 12th (Fall Break) 
So our next class meeting is Wednesday, October 14th.